then how come they came with green from the factory? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Yeah!

Toyota Red was not around in the 80's... They used good ol' green coolant!

Interesting... mine had red.
Green back then ain't necessarily green now, things change. Toy red is actually a very, very good coolant, combining some of the better qualities of ... - dangit, old age, can't remember the name of thte new coolants, silicate-free for aluminum systems - anywho, some of the best qualities of both kinds.

Green won't make your wheels fall off exactly. I just like the red a bit better.

Silicate free is also important on O2 sensor equipped vehicles... the slightest seepage of antifreeze anywhere inside the engine (of course that's a much bigger problem.. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />) can poison the O2 sensor... much the same way silicone sealer used anywhere in the air intake will....

Just for the fun of it:

The R series engine started back in the early 1950's, which well predates the Toyota red coolant.

From the folks I know who make antifreezes in North America, it's the same base, just dyed a different color. Red for Toyota, blue for Honda, etc. They supply Toyota of North America.

Dexcool is orange, not red. It's also murky in appearance, not clear.

Distilled water is better than tap water...maybe. And it's usually pointless. Antifreeze/coolants all contain anti-corrosion additives. You are to replace the coolant before the additives are used up. Tap water uses them up a little faster. But not before you should have changed coolant. Distilled water tends to leech metals and minerals from the metals of the engine. It's a minute phenomina.

Hard water should not be used, as it tends to cause scale.

Softened water should not be used because of the salt content. It will overwhelm the additive package and lead to corrosion.



Minerals in tap water conduct electricity.

wow, is that right?!?
interesting points!

I have a copy of motors anti freeze guide.Its very confusing knowing what to put in what.Agood source of information is bobistheoilguy.com.Wealth of info over there.I have to agree about distilled water.Difference between it and tap are miniscule.Japanese manufacturers like a low silicate low phosphate blend.Europeans are big on no phosphate no silicate,which is harder on aluminum but better for seals.Everyone agrees that HOAT{dex cool}suxs.I personally think most of the complaints are from people who dont maintain their cooling system.Oh,and just because its orange doesnt make it dex cool.Coolant has just gone nuts over the last few years.I use g5,which is the latest all mix.Green is ok as long as you flush regularly.

OK thanks, I think I will use the vinegar and baking soda, and still don't know which antifreeze.

You can't go wrong using Toyota OEM from the dealer right?

I used toyota red for piece of mind,but any of the new long life{not dex cool}will probably serve just as well.Try wal mart long life,I have used it and think it works pretty well.Green will work ok,as long as you flush every couple of years.My truck went 130k before needing a pump,and then the radiator looked like new{and I always used distilled water}.Also had no signs of electrolysis when doing valve job,which is someone common on older 22re's.I